Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a press conference in Berlin on Saturday. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

(Ottawa NSV) - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has invited Ethiopia and Malawi to represent Africa at the G20 summit in June, a move which analysts tout as a complete break from tradition.

“Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s invitation to Ethiopia and Malawi to join the G20 talks in Toronto on June 26 and 27 ensures that the continent will have a voice in economic discussions that could deeply affect the health of its collective economy and the welfare of its citizens,” said a report by the Globe and Mail, a national Canadian daily newspaper.

Dimitri Soudas, Prime Minister Harper’s director of communications told the Globe that Malawi was selected because it chairs the African Union while Ethiopia was chosen due to “its regional and continental influence.”

“Mr. Harper’s invitation to Malawi and Ethiopia to be part of those talks signals that Africa is finally starting to contribute to solutions, rather than just passively waiting for help,” said the Globe.

The addition of Malawi and Ethiopia means that three African countries will be represented, with South Africa being a permanent member of the G20.